Who are the Taurins?

As we've mentioned, we're running a Kickstarter for an anthology called Taurin Tales, which brings up the question, exactly who are the aliens in Taurin Tales?  Below is the description I gave to the authors for them to start creating their stories.
Please support the Kickstarter at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1521750492/taurin-tales
The Taurins are six limbed creatures with greyish-green skin that resembles that of a lizard, although they have a layer of fur on their back that can range through most colors. The Taurins back limbs are four toed and act completely as feet. Their middle limbs have digits that have one joint each. They normally use these limbs for walking, but they can use them to carry items if they need to, although these limbs tend to have the dexterity of a one year old human child. The Taurins front limbs have four digits, each of which has four joints, giving them outstanding dexterity.
Taurins have five eyes. They have two on the front of their heads that give them stereoscopic vision. They also have one eye on each side of their head, and one on the back of their head. Their front eyes are able to see into the near-infrared, but their other eyes are completely color blind, and they can only see about 100 yards before things become too blurry for them. The Taurins have two ears that are actually set in their head, instead of protruding like human ears. Their range of hearing is about 20% greater on each extreme than a human’s hearing. Taurins have sensory glands that cover their body that give them a sense of smell, but it’s only about half as good as a humans. Their mouth has three layers of razor sharp teeth, and although the Taurins are omnivorous, they prefer a carnivore’s diet.
The Taurins wear clothing that covers the majority of their bodies. The clothing is usually worn for comfort and ease of use, but there are times when the Taurins like to dress up.
From a technological standpoint, the Taurins are slightly ahead of Humanity. They have interplanetary travel, but they don’t yet have interstellar travel. So far they’ve colonized their home planet’s two largest moons, and although they’ve explored the third moon, they’ve found it to be too small to colonize. They also have limited research colonies on the two planets closest to their homeworld.
There are three major nations on their planet, nations that manage to cooperate, but only about as well as the US does with China or Russia. Although there are “racial” differences among the different Taurins, there is actually very little racism, although there is a group of Taurins that have light green fur on their backs that have been exploited as slaves for centuries, and although slavery no longer exists, these Taurins are often looked down upon by the other Taurins.

Taurin Tales Kickstarter

Nomadic Delirium Press is going to be publishing a new shared world anthology, and we're hoping to publish it in September.  The book will be called Taurin Tales, and here are some of the details...

Taurin Tales is a shared world anthology featuring some of the top names in small press science fiction.

Taurin Tales is a shared world anthology about an alien species called the Taurins.  The concept was designed by science fiction writer, editor, and game designer J Alan Erwine.  From there he invited several writers to contribute, and together they formed Taurin Tales.
The authors in the collection will be David Lee Summers, Maggie Bonham, Rick Novy, Ian Brazee-Cannon, Laura Givens, Dylan Moonfire, and Anna Paradox.
Most of the stories have already been delivered, and we're shooting for a September 1st, 2014 release date.
Please help us out by supporting our kickstarter at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1521750492/taurin-tales

1000th blog post

This is my 1000th post on this blog.  I feel like I should have something profound to say in this moment, but I don't, so I'll open this up to questions.  If you'd like to know anything, feel free to ask.
All I ask is that you please post the questions at jalanerwine.blogspot.com, as this blog feeds all over the internet, and I don't often visit some of the places it goes...

New Ephemeris titles in print

Nomadic Delirium Press has released two new Ephemeris titles in print.  You can now get The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Near Space at http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/129004/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Near-Space?manufacturers_id=2805, or you can get The Ephemeris Species Compendium of Deep Space Species  at http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/130262/The-Ephemeris-Species-Compendium-of-Deep-Space-Species?manufacturers_id=2805.
Near Space gives you:
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Near Space looks at the sectors of space that are near to Colonized Space, but that haven’t been completely explored yet.
You’ll find colonies that have been set up by some of the six sentient species, and you’ll find worlds that will make good colonies.  You’ll also find things that you might not expect…civilizations that have fallen, weird intrusions of hyperspace, and signs of intelligence that still might be out there.  This and more awaits players and game masters in The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Near Space.
A useful tool for both players and game masters, this supplement will help take your Ephemeris game to the next level.
And the new species compendium gives you:
In the Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica volumes about Unexplored Space, you were introduced to five new species that live out in Deep Space, an area of space more than two hundred light years from Earth.  Now you can learn all about these species…
The Alexans: Small explorers that mostly want to be left alone
The Ernya: An aggressive species that wants to conquer
The Julahmo: The Beaten Ones, as they’re known…victims of countless wars with the Ernya
The Khruntha: The grand conquerors of Deep Space, a species so violent that they make the Ernya look tame
The Lomisians: The Librarians of the galaxy, a peaceful species that wants to learn everything they can, but that has been forced into war over and over again.
Learn about all five of the species: their languages, their points of view, their variant species, and the special classes that are only available to them.

Back to work...

With the insane medical bills starting to roll in, and with some other financial disasters that have hit us, it looks like I'm going to have to go back to work...at least part time.  This is far from what we were planning, since Rebecca and I already have almost no time together.  Now we'll almost never see each other, except when we're sleeping.
And sleep will have to be cut back on, at least from my part, since I still want to try to keep writing, editing, and game designing as much as I can.
Things were working out really well with me working at home, except for the financial aspects, so now life has once again turned itself upside down for us.
Needless to say, neither of us are happy about this...

May recap

Eryn wants to go to Washington D.C.
The Martian Wave: 2014 cover
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sectors 22 & 23
The Martian Wave: 2014 pre-sale
The Ephemeris Species Compendium of Deep Space Species
The insane cost of health care

The insane cost of health care

We finally received all of the bills for Alexis' surgery.  Even with 90% "coverage," we owe over $1,000.  Keep in mind, this was a morning procedure, and then a one night stay in the hospital.  Given that we have 90% "coverage," it would seem safe to assume that the insurance company is paying $9,000, but this isn't the case.  Due to deals they strike with doctors and hospitals, they're only paying a little under $4,000.  They should be assigning the 10% we owe after they get their discounts, but of course that's not how it works.  Let's face it, corporations, especially the likes of the insurance companies are basically what's running this country these days.  Anyone that thinks that "We the People" truly have a voice is deluding themselves.
Needless to say, this has put a serious dent in our finances, and since Rebecca still hasn't gotten her promotion, we may be forced to rethink a lot of things we have going on right now...which will only make life more difficult.
Let's just say that I'm not at all happy with insurance companies right now...

The Ephemeris Species Compendium of Deep Space Species

In the Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica volumes about Unexplored Space, you were introduced to five new species that live out in Deep Space, an area of space more than two hundred light years from Earth.  Now you can learn all about these species…
The Alexans: Small explorers that mostly want to be left alone
The Ernya: An aggressive species that wants to conquer
The Julahmo: The Beaten Ones, as they’re known…victims of countless wars with the Ernya
The Khruntha: The grand conquerors of Deep Space, a species so violent that they make the Ernya look tame
The Lomisians: The Librarians of the galaxy, a peaceful species that wants to learn everything they can, but that has been forced into war over and over again.
Learn about all five of the species: their languages, their points of view, their variant species, and the special classes that are only available to them.
Order from us at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-species-compendium-of-deep-space-species/
Order from DriveThruRPG at: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/130262/The-Ephemeris-Species-Compendium-of-Deep-Space-Species
This e-book will also soon be released in print...

The Martian Wave: 2014 pre-sale

The 2014 issue of The Martian Wave will be released on July 1st, and when it is released, the cover price will be $10, but you can pre-order it now for just $9 by going to http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-martian-wave-2014/
The e-book is also available for pre-sale, and you can order it for $3.99 by going to https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/436463
What do you have to look forward to in this issue:
The Martian Wave features stories about the exploration and colonization of space, with special emphasis on our solar system. In this issue, you'll find alien microbes and aliens that are like nothing you've ever imagined. You'll be taken to icy worlds, and the sands of Mars. You'll even get a look at Earth trying to regain its place in the stars.

The volcanoes of Io and the deep dark of space are also waiting for readers. Many stories paint a possibly grim future for humanity, but others are truly optimistic. No matter the tone, all of the stories and poems in this issue capture the adventurous spirit that make Humanity what it is.

Step inside, and be transported to places you've never imagined...maybe even places you never could imagine.

The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sectors 22 & 23

Welcome to “Unexplored Space.”  The EEG Sectors 22 & 23 introduces you to the sectors beyond “Colonized Space” and “Near Space.”  This tome introduces you to the systems that the six species are only just starting to colonize, the systems that they could colonize in the future, and also tells you about some long dead civilizations.  In addition, it brings you some surprises once you reach the outer systems of Sectors 22 & 23…
Order from us: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sectors-22-23/
Order from DriveThruRPG: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/129775/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sectors-TwentyTwo--TwentyThree
Order the Kindle version: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KBGKLN4

The Martian Wave: 2014 cover

Here's the cover for the 2014 issue of The Martian Wave. The official release date is July 1st, but we will be starting a pre-sale very soon, so get ready to order your copies.

Eryn wants to go to Washington D.C.

Our oldest has the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. during the Summer of 2015 on a trip that's run by Worldstrides.  She will have the chance to visit most of the monuments, see the National Museum, and get a better idea of the history of our country.  Unfortunately, it looks like her school isn't going to be doing anything to help them with fundraising, leaving them to raise all the money on their own.
Given that, we're doing everything we can to help her raise the money, and we've set up a page on Go Fund Me for anyone that would be willing to help her.  The site can be found at http://www.gofundme.com/8wknt8.
We know money is tight for everyone, but if anyone is able to help her out, it would be greatly appreciated.  This would be one of the most amazing experiences she'll have as a young lady, and we really want to send her.

April recap

Nomadic Delirium Press titles on Kindle
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica Sectors Five & Six
What's next for the Ephemeris RPG
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sectors Seven, Eleven, Twelve, & Fourteen
I love weeks like this
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sectors Fifteen-Twenty
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Near Space
My oldest is going to D.C.

My oldest is going to D.C.

Our oldest will be going to Washington D.C. next summer. We're looking for ways to help her raise money. If anyone would be willing to help her out, please follow the link below.
Thanks ahead of time!
https://olr.worldstrides.net/scripts/cgiip.exe/RegisterOnline/PaymentLogin.htm?ttype=gift&custid=102629001&custlname=Noli

The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Near Space

All of the "Near Space" supplements have been combined into one book.  At the moment, this is only available as an e-book, but we should have it available as a print book in May.
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Near Space looks at the sectors of space that are near to Colonized Space, but that haven’t been completely explored yet.
You’ll find colonies that have been set up by some of the six sentient species, and you’ll find worlds that will make good colonies.  You’ll also find things that you might not expect…civilizations that have fallen, weird intrusions of hyperspace, and signs of intelligence that still might be out there.  This and more awaits players and game masters in The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Near Space.
A useful tool for both players and game masters, this supplement will help take your Ephemeris game to the next level.
Order from us: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-near-space/
Order from DriveThruRPG: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/129004/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Near-Space
Order on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JXPWC04

The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sectors Fifteen-Twenty

The last of the "Near Space" tomes of The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica is now available.
Now’s your chance to explore the final sectors of Ephemeris “Near Space.”  You’ll learn about the colonies that have been established, the worlds that are waiting to be colonized, and the other oddities that populate these six sectors.  Learn about planets that once held civilizations, and no longer do, or learn about hyperspace rifts created by a war of Cyber Wizards, or learn about the asteroid obstacle course that the Althani have created.
These are just a few of the things waiting for you in The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sectors Fifteen-Twenty.
Order from us: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sectors-fifteen-twenty
Order from DriveThruRPG: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/128957/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sectors-FifteenTwenty
Order the Kindle version: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JWZU15S

I love weeks like this

On Monday night, I started on the final "Near Space" supplement for The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica.  I typed the last word yesterday morning, and the rough draft of the supplement comes out at over 10,000 words.  I love really productive weeks!  It will have to go through a couple of revisions, and I hope to have it ready to go by the end of next weekend.  That will complete "Near Space," and I'll be moving on to "Unexplored Space," which will have what I hope will be some great surprises for everyone who is playing Ephemeris.
10,000 words of game writing is a little bit easier than 10,000 words of fiction, but I'm still happy with it, and I hope to be diving into fiction hard very soon.  For now, I'm just toying with it a little bit, but the game supplement writing is going strong, and for now, that needs to be my focus.

The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sectors Seven, Eleven, Twelve, and Fourteen

The exploration of the Ephemeris: Science Fiction RPG universe continues with The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sectors Seven, Eleven, Twelve, and Fourteen...
There’s more to the Ephemeris universe than just “Colonized Space.” Now you can get a chance to explore those sectors where the six species are only just starting to colonize, or even where none of them have been before.
The EEG: Sectors 7, 11, 12, & 14 continues to explore the space between the colonized sectors of the Ephmeris RPG.
It will be posted in our store shortly, but for now, you can find it at DriveThruRPG: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/128574/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sectors-Seven-Eleven-Twelve-and-Fourteen
It should also be available on Kindle very soon as well.

What's next for the Ephemeris RPG

As many of you know, we recently finished releasing the supplements for the Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica for the colonized sectors of space, and now we're working on near space.  We still have unexplored space and deep space to go, and we have some fun surprises in store for all of you game masters and players...we may even go beyond deep space, depending on how future supplements are received.
We're also thinking about the possibility of introducing mass combat rules, so that huge space battles can be solved much easier than they can now...and this may be very important because...well, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Hope you're enjoying the game, and if you have ideas, please feel free to pass them on to us.  The best way is on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ephemerisrpg/.

The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sectors Five & Six

The exploration of "Near Space" in the Ephemeris RPG universe continues...
There’s more to the Ephemeris universe than just “Colonized Space.” Now you can get a chance to explore those sectors where the six species are only just starting to colonize, or even where none of them have been before.
The EEG: Sectors 5 & 6 continues the exploration of “Near Space.”
Order from us at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sectors-5-6/
or
Order from DriveThruRPG at: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/128195/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sectors-Five--Six